05/07/2025
πΎ May is Arthritis Awareness Month πΎ
Osteoarthritis can affect dogs and cats β as well as all other pets β of all ages and sizes/breeds. Other terms used for osteoarthritis are simply βarthritisβ or βdegenerative joint disease.β
Similarly to people, osteoarthritis in dogs and cats can be very painful and severely limit your petβs quality of life. Common symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include lameness, being less active, and less interest in playing/hiking/walks. There is no cure for osteoarthritis and reversing the disease process is unfortunately not possible at this point (neither in pets nor in people). The best treatment for arthritis is prevention, and understanding osteoarthritis is important even if your pet may not have significant arthritis at this point.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis in dogs and cats is generally straightforward and performed by taking radiographs (X-rays). X-rays are also a good tool to monitor for progression of arthritis.
The cornerstones of osteoarthritis management include:
β€οΈ Weight management/control/maintenance
π§‘ Regular, moderate, controlled physical activity and veterinary rehabilitation/physical therapy/conditioning
π Commonly used joint supplements/neutraceuticals, Chinese herbs
π Pain medications (such as tramadol, NSAIDs [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], etc.)
π Holistic treatment options such as acupuncture, laser therapy, massage, etc.
Schedule a visit with us to find out more about how we can help your pet's arthritis so they can lead a more comfortable life. π